He tore through the Holy Grail War, and you still call him a dragon?

Boom!

A flash of lightning surged along an ancient sword as Odin drew it from his waist. The sword's gleam fell like a white cascade. Emiya leapt backward as sharp thunder cracked the ground, leaving a scorched radial burn mark.

Emiya was already getting used to Odin's rhythm. Though this knockoff Odin completely overwhelmed him in raw power, with weaponry and Kanzen Kaifuku (Full Body Reinforcement), Emiya wasn't lagging too far behind…

Besides, this Odin didn't speak, nor did he display any strategic foresight beyond brute fighting skills. So Emiya wasn't planning to waste time. As long as he got an opening to retreat before his mana ran dry, he'd use Gensō Hōkai (Phantasm Collapse) to finish it.

Sure enough, seeing Emiya retreat, the mechanized-minded Odin raised Gungnir once again and aimed it at the distant Emiya.

...That again. Every time there's distance, this guy tries to hurl the spear.

But Emiya had already figured out how to counter this move. He drew the projected black and white paired blades and swung his arms rapidly—sending out several sets of spinning Kanshō and Bakuya (Gan Jiang and Mo Ye).

As expected, Odin responded in the exact way Emiya predicted—clanging twice as he deflected the blades with practiced ease.

Emiya had already noted that Odin's heavy armor was no mere decoration. Intricate patterns carved into it seemed to hide Rūn Fumon (Runic Inscriptions), likely to boost defense.

However, the chest, thighs, and arms were all visibly scorched—likely from fire damage—clearly the armor's weak points.

And since Odin's rigid tactics couldn't predict the peculiar properties of Kanshō and Bakuya, his fate was sealed.

Whoosh—

Another pair of black and white blades spun through the air, cutting in from the side. Odin leaned forward slightly at just the right moment, letting the swords pass overhead.

In that instant, Odin shot his spear upward, deflecting the white blade. His other hand swung the lightning-charged ancient sword to intercept the black blade from behind.

But the twin blades always attacked simultaneously. Odin's backhanded swing was just a beat too slow.

Slash!

The spinning blade struck the weak point in his armor. Kanshō pierced the scorched, fragile spot, cutting a huge wound into Odin's exposed arm. Black blood sprayed into the air.

Fwoosh—!

At that moment, Emiya lunged forward, hefting the massive four-meter-long Taia Kyoken (Taia Greatsword)!

The sword radiated intense elemental energy. Its chilling brilliance resonated with the atmosphere, gathering power into a massive surge. Sword light burst from its edge, expanding like a blade cloaked in aurora.

Then—he brought it crashing down!

Odin's injured arm made it harder to raise his spear. He had to use his other hand and sword to defend.

But that ancient sword was barely a meter long. The Taia Kyoken, enhanced by the energy field, exceeded four meters, enveloping both Odin and his mount entirely from above.

Odin met the slash with a single-handed block.

The clash stalled the blade, but the air pressure alone rang the armor with metallic clangs. It looked like a stalemate—but Emiya only needed to switch from a downward slash to a thrust. Odin's head would be an easy target.

Except Odin didn't give him that chance.

Suddenly, Odin's eight-legged horse Sleipnir flexed all four back legs, rearing up with the front four and willingly raised its head to meet the descending blade. Odin used the moment to leap backward.

Emiya's eyes twitched—Odin had sacrificed the horse just to dodge.

The blade came down.

Sleipnir's powerful frame had no chance. It was shredded. The sword shattered the earth, sending gore and debris flying.

Odin, your horse is gone!

Thud.

The bootleg Odin landed without grace, rolled back a few times, then quickly recovered—sword at the ready, still wary of new tricks.

But all he saw was Emiya's retreating back.

'Burned through half my mana just to clash evenly with Odin... If I don't run now, what else am I gonna do…'

Besides, running didn't mean giving up.

Whoosh—

Above the underground passage, a grappling hook shot down. Emiya caught it, gave it a tug. A powerful pull from above yanked him upward.

Without a horse, Odin's pursuit speed dropped. As he neared the upper exit, what greeted him—were three falling copies of Nise Shichiseiryūen (Pseudo-Seven Star Longyuan).

Assuming another trick like Kanshō and Bakuya, Odin instinctively went to deflect them. But the three pseudo-Noble Phantasms fell not at him—but around him.

And then—searing white light exploded.

Moments earlier, Emiya had stowed his bow and left the cursed underground testing center with Jōde Mai, who had provided the grappling hook.

Jōde Mai had witnessed Gensō Hōkai firsthand. Like Emiya, she broke into a dead sprint down a corridor lit by glaring ceiling lights.

Once they cleared this hallway, they'd escape the doomed structure.

"Jōde-san, that rope gear was awesome!" Emiya shouted mid-run.

"Thanks! It's ninja standard issue!"

As the ground began to quake and rumble, they somehow picked up even more speed.

In the next second, a burst of red fire erupted behind them. Layered explosions followed—like a raging fire dragon unleashing apocalyptic fury, tearing through man's concrete creations.

The hallway trembled violently. Massive cracks split the walls and ceiling.

Clang!

Sensing danger, the two drew their blades. As debris fell, they slashed through it. But the chaos slowed their escape.

Thankfully—the exit was close.

"Sanmu! Pickup!" Jōde Mai shouted.

A petite figure dashed in, grabbed them both, and unfolded her Muchi no Chiiki (Dustless Domain). A transparent barrier shielded them from the collapsing world.

(End of Chapter)

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